West Yorkshire leaders to discuss brand new bus control centre 

Plans to create a hub to run West Yorkshire’s 1,300 bus services will be discussed by regional leaders this week.

As part of work to bring buses under public control, the new facility is proposed to help coordinate services across the region’s 400-plus bus routes.

It will be part of West Yorkshire’s Weaver Network, with the Combined Authority managing routes, frequencies, fares and overall standards for buses in the area, rather than private companies.

The control centre would ensure Weaver Network staff will have oversight on all services in the region, and allow them to make timely decisions to minimise disruption and improve reliability and safety of services.

This will also allow for real-time responses to incidents, CCTV monitoring, traffic light prioritisation, as well as helping the network to plan for roadworks and events.

A call-handling service is also expected to be included in the centre, which will help emergency services respond to incidents and keep passengers and other road users safe.

The facility is expected to be in place in time for the first round of franchised bus services in April 2027, leading up to a fully, publicly-run bus network in 2028.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority officers will be looking at the best location for the hub over the coming months.

Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Franchising will mean buses are publicly-run for the first time in more than 40 years - and this brand-new facility will help us run services for the people of West Yorkshire.

“More than two million passenger journeys take place every week on our region’s buses, so it is vital that we make those services as safe, reliable and punctual as they can be.

“This will help track and manage Weaver Network buses and provide the best service possible to passengers – I can’t wait to see it up and running.”

Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority committee will discuss whether to approve £250,000 of early development funding for the scheme at a meeting on Thursday, January 22.